PenCom DG, Aisha Dahir-Umar

By Ngozi Onyeakusi—The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has inducted the Director-General of National Pension Commission (PenCom),Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar Into its Hall of Fame.

According to NANS, Dahir-Umar was granted the honour in recognition of her professional service and purposeful leadership in the pension industry.

Also given to Dahir-Umar by the association was a merit award for her contributions to national development and support for young people and students.

Speaking during the award ceremony held in Abuja over the weekend, Attah Nnalue, senate president of NANS, commended the PenCom DG for her hard work, exemplary lifestyle, contribution to nation building and the advancement of Nigeria’s pension industry.

Dahir-Umar has been part of the journey to reform pension administration and management in Nigeria,” Nnalue said.

“Under her leadership as the director-general, PenCom, has attained significant milestones in its diligent implementation of the pension reform act (PRA) 2014 through the successful conclusion of several critical initiatives.

“Pension fund assets have been on a sustained growth trajectory, increasing from N6.15 trillion in 2016 to N14.99 trillion as of December 2022.

Similarly, the number of registered pension contributors grew from 7.41 million to 9.86 million over the same period.

“The launch of the micro pension plan (MPP) by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2019 was another significant step under her towards the promotion of financial inclusion for self-employed persons and workers in the informal sector.”

Nnalue said the induction of Dahir-Umar into NANS Hall of Fame and the presentation of NANS merit award to her were in line with the resolution of the 68th senate meeting of the association held on January 25, 2023 at the University of Abuja.

He said the NANS merit award is presented to individuals whose lives exemplifies the ideas of living for the sake of others and dedicate themselves to national building and service to humanity.